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He shot me a look. “Why?”
“Because he needs a refill.”
“You gonna take it to him?”
“Yeah.”
“Why?”
“Stop asking me why,” I snapped. “But if you want to know, I think I owe it to Colt to get to know Knight. I’m the president’s Old Lady, right? It’s my job to make outsiders feel welcome.”
“Knight’s not an outsider. He’s a Blue Angel.”
“Semantics. And you know what I meant.”
“Look at you, fitting in with your new family.” Boxer wrapped an arm around my neck and pulled me to his chest so he could plop a kiss on top of my head. “Proud of ya, Mia.”
His words weren’t condescending and they felt like a warm breeze on my skin. I smiled up at him. “You’re okay, you know that?”
“Just okay?” He puffed out his chest. “Tell everyone I’m amazing.”
I pushed against him and he released me. With a laugh I headed toward a picnic table that was covered in full booze bottles, plastic red cups, and a tin bucket full of ice that was rapidly melting in the heat from the nearby fire. I swiped a bottle of Jack and headed toward Knight. He watched me approach with an unwavering, intense gaze.
“Hey,” I said.
“Hey.” His tone was wary, like he didn’t trust or understand why I was standing in front of him.
“Thought you could use another drink.” I held out the bottle of bourbon to him.
His eyes dropped from me to stare at the bottle. His fingers gripped the neck and he took it from me. “Why’d you bring this to me?”
I shrugged. “You look lonely over here. Thought I’d come say hi. We didn’t really get a chance to talk at The Rex.”
“I was busy with other shit.” He nodded and unscrewed the lid. “Thanks.” He took a swig and then limply let his hand drop so the bottle almost touched the bench.
“So you’re from Coeur d’Alene,” I said.
“Yeah.”
Knight clearly hadn’t perfected the art of conversation. I thought about leaving him to his own devices, but then he lifted the bottle of Jack to me.
A silent offering of friendship.
“Thanks.” I took the bottle and drank.
A ghost of a grin flittered across Knight’s mouth. Half his face was concealed in shadow, but what I could see was covered in a beard. But he had a nice smile.
“Have a seat,” he said, gesturing to the spot next to him.
“Okay.” I scrambled up to the table’s top and plunked down next to him, far enough away that should our knees fall to the sides, we wouldn’t touch.
I stared at the fire when I asked my question. “What was that? Back at The Rex?”
“What are you talking about?”
“When you saw me. You looked—I don’t even know how to describe it.”
“Are you always like this?” he asked.
